Feature: Chinese embassy gives hand to needy people in Sudan

For more than four years, the Chinese Embassy in Khartoum and Sanad Charity Foundation, a Sudanese non-governmental organization, have implemented a number of social initiatives in support of thousands of the needy, where their partnership served as a bridge for the deeply-rooted Sino-Sudanese ties.

The joint social initiatives covered fields including education, health, water and electricity in addition to other projects that targeted the vulnerable people in Sudanese society.

On Wednesday, the Chinese Embassy in Khartoum and Sanad Charity Foundation celebrated at Ed Babikir area, east of the Sudanese capital Khartoum, the distribution of 3,500 blankets for the needy people at the area.

"Today, we are distributing 3,500 blankets for the people affected by the floods which hit Sudan two months ago," Chinese Ambassador in Khartoum Li Lianhe told reporters.

"These blankets are donated by the Chinese Embassy in Khartoum to ease the suffering of those affected by the floods, particularly with the onset of winter season," he noted.

The ambassador said "we share these emotions on bases of the deeply-rooted friendship between the two peoples, this is the reason why we decided to donate these blankets."

"We have previously donated 100,000 U.S. dollars, on behalf of the Chinese Red Cross, for the Sudanese Red Crescent to help the people affected by the rains and floods in Sudan," Li said.

He added that the Chinese embassy, in cooperation with the Sudanese Health Ministry, carried out a three-month program to conduct cataract surgeries for Sudanese patients.

"As many as 1,041 cataract surgeries have been carried out for Sudanese patients as part of the program, where all the patients who underwent the surgeries have regained their eyesight," he noted.

Samia Mohamed Osman, secretary-general of Sanad Charity Foundation, told reporters that "we have a close partnership with the Chinese organizations and the Chinese Embassy in Khartoum covering vital and important projects."

"The cooperation between our foundation and the Chinese Embassy in Khartoum has been ongoing for four years during which we have implemented many projects in fields of health, education and electricity in the capital Khartoum and a number of states," she said.

She further appreciated China's support for the poor and needy people. "Such initiatives have been repeated by the Chinese embassy and greatly helped many poor families."

Meanwhile, many of Ed Babikir area citizens who benefited from the donation expressed their appreciation for the initiative of the Chinese embassy.

"We appreciate this assistance. We really need these blankets to face the winter season. We thank the Chinese Embassy in Khartoum," Abdalla Ahmed, a citizen from Ed Babikir area, told Xinhua.

Mariam Mohamed, a citizen from the same area, told Xinhua that "we need the blankets to protect our children against cold. Thanks for China and Sanad Charity Foundation." Endit